It wasn’t a picture-perfect summer day – cool, breezy, cloudy, with the sun making only occasional cameos – but that didn’t stop crowds from gathering at Staring Lake Park on Sunday, June 8, for an afternoon of barbecue, jazz and community.
The Eden Prairie Noon Rotary Club hosted its annual Rib Fest fundraiser, serving up racks of ribs, barbecued chicken, and hot dogs alongside local beer, ice cream and Rotary’s signature secret sauce. Proceeds support the club’s local and global service projects, including “My Book Day,” which gives free books to Eden Prairie first graders.
Nearby, the Minnesota Festival of Jazz on the Prairie filled the amphitheater with big band sounds throughout the afternoon and evening. The city-sponsored event featured performances by seven local jazz ensembles, including Jazz on the Prairie Big Band and Bend in the River Big Band.
And for those looking for more action, the “Seventh Swine of a Seventh Swine” disc golf doubles tournament added a competitive spin to the day.
Rotary organizers said the event has grown significantly since its early days – and despite the less-than-scorching weather, turnout and community support remained strong.
“Thanks for coming out and supporting our Eden Prairie Noon Rotary!” the club wrote in a Facebook post. “You are making a difference in our community and in our world!”
More information is available at epnoonrotary.org.
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